Mad Money Recap

Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap

 

Trading Around a Core Position

"Knowing how to trade makes you a better investor," Cramer told viewers, as he outlined another of his key trading principles, trading around a core position.

Cramer explained that the typical "buy and hold" investment strategy would tell you that if you wanted to own 300 shares of a company, buy 100 shares now, then another 100 next month, and so on, then hold them indefinitely. But this strategy is flawed, said Cramer, when you account for the increasing market volatility.

Cramer said a better way to invest is via what's called "trading around a core position." So in the previous scenario, if you wanted to own 300 shares, investors would buy their positions, on weakness of course, then actively manage that position as the market dictates.

Cramer said if the stock increases by 3%, sell 50 shares. If the stock pulls back by 3%, buy some shares back. He said it may seem like small potatoes, buy trading these small blocks add up quickly.

Trading around a position provides investors with small gains that add up over time, he said.

Tipping Point

Cramer's final tip for investors dealt with knowing when to sell a hot stock. He said his rule of thumb for years has been that when a hot little upstart receives its fourth analyst covering the stock, the party is over.

Cramer used drink maker Hansen Natural (HANS) to illustrate his rule. Hansen was the hottest stock out there in 2005, when it traded for just $18 a share. Buy mid-2006, Hansen was still a darling of Wall Street, and seemed unstoppable trading at $200 a share. But then something changed.

Cramer said that on May 10, Goldman Sachs started covering the stock. He said that Goldman's coverage was Hansen's fourth analyst, and at that point, just about everyone who wanted to invest in Hansen, already had. The company's skyrocketing momentum came to an abrupt end just two months later.

Cramer said his bottom line was that hot momentum stocks are often worth owning, buy investor must know when to sell, and when too many Wall Street analysts jump on a company's bandwagon, the party is likely coming to an end.

-- Written by Scott Rutt in Washington D.C.

To watch replays of Cramer's video segments, visit the Mad Money page on CNBC.

Want more Cramer? Check out Jim's rules and commandments for investing from his latest book by clicking here.

For more of Cramer's insights during the Lightning Round, click here.

>To order reprints of this article, click here: Reprints

Jim Cramer, host of the CNBC television program "Mad Money," is a Markets Commentator for TheStreet.com, Inc., and CNBC, and a director and co-founder of TheStreet.com. All opinions expressed by Mr. Cramer on "Mad Money" are his own and do not reflect the opinions of TheStreet.com or its affiliates, or CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL or their parent company or affiliates. Mr. Cramer's opinions are based upon information he considers to be reliable, but neither TheStreet.com, nor CNBC, nor either of their affiliates and/or subsidiaries warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. Mr. Cramer's statements are based on his opinions at the time statements are made, and are subject to change without notice. No part of Mr. Cramer's compensation from CNBC or TheStreet.com is related to the specific opinions expressed by him on "Mad Money."

None of the information contained in "Mad Money" constitutes a recommendation by Mr. Cramer, TheStreet.com or CNBC that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You must make your own independent decisions regarding any security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy mentioned on the program. Mr. Cramer's past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Neither Mr. Cramer, nor TheStreet.com, nor CNBC guarantees any specific outcome or profit, and you should be aware of the real risk of loss in following any strategy or investments discussed on the program. The strategy or investments discussed may fluctuate in price or value and you may get back less than you invested. Before acting on any information contained in the program, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser.

Some of the stocks mentioned by Mr. Cramer on "Mad Money" are held in Mr. Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Portfolio. When that is the case, appropriate disclosure is made on the program and in the "Mad Money" recap available on TheStreet.com. The Action Alerts PLUS Portfolio contains all of Mr. Cramer's personal investments in publicly-traded equity securities only, and does not include any mutual fund holdings or other institutionally managed assets, private equity investments, or his holdings in TheStreet.com, Inc. Since March 2005, the Action Alerts PLUS Portfolio has been held by a Trust, the realized profits from which have been pledged to charity. Mr. Cramer retains full investment discretion with respect to all securities contained in the Trust. Mr. Cramer is subject to certain trading restrictions, and must hold all securities in the Action Alerts PLUS Portfolio for at least one month, and is not permitted to buy or sell any security he has spoken about on television or on his radio program for five days following the broadcast.

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